Xavi Hernandez, simply known as Xavi, is a Spanish professional football player who plays for FC Barcelona in the Spanish league and is also a regular in the Spanish national team, having led his country to three major titles including two European Championships in 2008 and 2012 as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Having spent his entire career at Barcelona, the midfielder is considered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and is seen already as a legend at his club.
Born in the Catalan region of Spain, the playmaker joined the famed La Masia youth academy of Barcelona when he was just 11 years old progressed through the ranks before being handed his first team debut for the club. He spent three years cutting his teeth with the second team of the club in the lower divisions before he nailed down a first team spot for himself, replacing the legendary Luis Figo who had departed the club for arch rivals Real Madrid.
Born and brought up as a Catalan, the sentiment of playing for Barcelona is something that Xavi has talked about many times and although he has had several offers to play for various other clubs in the world, including AC Milan and Manchester United, he never abandoned his beloved Barcelona, sticking with the club through their lean periods before ushering in the greatest era in the club’s history that saw them win three UEFA Champions League titles in six years.
Xavi is also one of the most decorated footballers of his generation and is one of the greatest midfielders to have donned the red jersey of Spain and is seen by many as the country’s answer to several former legends in the Brazilian and Argentine playmaking role where he has created his own brand.